A.
The Inspector shall survey premises and specify the
fire protection equipment which shall be provided therein.
B.
The Inspector shall survey each commercial and industrial
establishment, mercantile, educational and institutional occupancy,
place of assembly, hotel, multifamily house and trailer (mobile home)
camp and shall specify approved fire-detecting devices or extinguishing
appliances which shall be provided in or near boiler rooms, kitchens
of restaurants, clubs and like establishments, storage rooms involving
considerable combustible material, rooms in which hazardous manufacturing
processes are involved, repair garages and other places of generally
hazardous nature. Such devices or appliances may consist of automatic
fire alarm systems, automatic sprinkler or water spray systems, standpipe
and hose, fixed or portable fire extinguishers of a type approved
for the probable class of fire or suitable asbestos blankets, manual
or automatic covers or carbon dioxide or other special fire extinguishing
systems. In special hazardous processes or storage, appliances of
more than one type or special systems, may be required.
C.
Key boxes.
(1)
When a structure is protected by an automatic fire
alarm system or fire and/or fire suppression system and access to
or within the structure is unduly difficult because of secured openings
and/or where immediate access is necessary for lifesaving or firefighting
purposes, the Inspector shall require a key box to be installed in
an approved location.
(2)
New and existing businesses.
(a)
All new business, mercantile, industrial, storage,
assembly and institutional, and three-or-more-story multiple residences,
constructed, altered or changed in use after the effective date of
this code shall have installed a key box in an approved location.
Such key boxes shall be installed before the issuance of a certificate
of occupancy.
(b)
All existing business, mercantile, industrial,
storage, assembly and institutional, and three-or-more-story multiple
residences shall comply with the provisions of this code not later
than six months after this code's effective date.
(3)
The key box shall be of a type approved by the Inspector,
and in order to maintain uniformity throughout Rockland County, order
forms for said key box must be obtained from the Fire Inspector.
(a)
The key box shall be mounted on the building
no higher than six feet above the ground and alongside the front entrance
door or other location as directed by the Inspector.
(b)
Unless attached, each building or store shall
have its own key box.
(c)
The owner or managing agent for the occupancy
shall immediately notify the Inspector and provide the new key when
a lock is changed or rekeyed.
(4)
The key box shall contain:
(a)
Keys to locked points of egress, whether on
the interior or exterior of such structure.
(b)
Keys to locked mechanical rooms.
(c)
Keys to locked electrical rooms.
(d)
Keys to other areas as directed by the Inspector.
(f)
Other information as requested in writing by
the Inspector (floor plan of buildings showing all exits and the location
of the equipment on the roof).
(5)
All business, mercantile, industrial, storage, assembly
and institutional, and three story multiple residences within the
Village of Spring Valley protected by fences, gates and similar barriers
presently secured by a padlock, electronically operated or automatic
gates or other control circuits, shall be equipped with a high-security
padlock or key switch as approved by the Fire Inspector.
D.
Fire protection markings.
(1)
Premises identification. New and existing buildings
shall have approved address numbers placed in a position to be plainly
legible and visible from the street or road fronting the property.
These numbers shall contrast with their background. The numbers should
be at least four inches in height and, if possible, made of or coated
with reflective material for nighttime visibility.
(a)
Multiple dwellings or commercial properties
with more than one building on the lot shall have the street address
and building number of each premises posted at the right front corner
of the building near the roof level unless otherwise directed by the
Inspector. All letters and numbers are to be a minimum of six inches
in height.
(b)
Multiple dwellings, four or more stories in
height, shall have the first floor number and letter of the unit on
the exterior of the building under the window or on the face of the
balcony. The labeling system shall indicate the "line of units" (ex.:
1K). Numbers and letters are be a minimum of three inches and in contrasting
color to the exterior surface of the building.
(2)
Shaftways to be marked. Every outside opening accessible
to the Fire Department that opens directly on any hoistway or shaftway
communicating between two or more floors in a building shall be plainly
marked with the word SHAFTWAY in red letters at least six inches high
on a white background. Such warning signs shall be so placed as to
be readily discernible from the outside of the building.
(3)
Stairway markings. Stairways serving three or more
stories shall be marked with signs indicating floor level, roof access
or no roof access and re-entry locations in accordance with the National
Fire Protection Association Life Safety Code. (NFPA 101).
(4)
Identification of lightweight construction.
(a)
Upon inspection and identification of any building,
other than a one- or two-family dwelling, made of truss, wood I-beam
or other lightweight-type construction, the owner/occupant shall be
notified by the Inspector of the requirements of this code.
(b)
Upon notification, the owner/occupant shall
permanently affix an approved twelve-by-eighteen inch reflective truss
construction identification logo on the building. This shall be placed
at the right front corner of the building near the roof level unless
otherwise directed by the Fire Inspector. The identification logo
shall be properly installed within 10 days after receipt of such notice.
(c)
The Inspector will notify the local Fire Chief
of any building constructed with lightweight construction. This information
will also be provided to the Rockland County Fire Control Center to
be included in the Rockland County computer dispatch system data base.
E.
Marking for vacant buildings.
(1)
Definition. For marking purposes, a "vacant building"
is a structure which is completely unoccupied and where all efforts
to maintain the building in a livable condition have been abandoned
by the owner.
(2)
Distinctive markings. All vacant buildings within
the Village of Spring Valley shall be marked using the appropriate
examples below.
RO VACANT — Roof
opening.
|
(3)
Description of markings: yellow fluorescent paint
18 inches by 18 inches, two inches wide.
(4)
Primary location. Alongside all entrances, approximately
12 inches above the ground and also at eye level.
F.
Fire walls. Fire wall signs shall always be maintained
legible and not defaced.
G.
Door markings. All doors (interior and exterior) leading
to utility, boiler, compactor, elevator fire panel or fire protection
controller device rooms shall be clearly labeled as directed by the
Inspector. Letters shall not be less than one inch in height and shall
be in contrasting colors to background and, if possible, made of or
coated with reflective material for nighttime and/or smoke visibility.
H.
Fire Department connections.
(1)
All Fire Department connections shall be painted OSHA
color "red" or a bright red equivalent,
(2)
A sign reading "FDC" (six-inch red letters on white
background) and type of system [SPKR, STD PIPE or SPKR / STD PIPE
(one-inch red letters)] shall be installed a minimum of seven feet
above the ground in line with the connection.
(3)
If the FDC sign is located on the side or rear of
a building, additional signs shall be installed on the front of the
building to direct the Fire Department to the connection (ex.: FDC-
Rear of Bldg.).
(4)
All lettering on such additional signs shall be no
less than two inches in height (red letters on white background).
(5)
Appropriate caps or plugs shall be maintained on the
Fire Department connection at all times.
(6)
Connection swivels shall be maintained in good working
order at all times.
(7)
New sprinkler and/or standpipe installations shall
include one five-inch Storz and one-single or double-clapper two-and-one-half-inch
connection. Connections shall be located in front of the building,
unless otherwise approved by the Inspector.
I.
Exit requirements.
(1)
Adequate exits shall be provided in all buildings,
structures and premises within the Village of Spring Valley to ensure
the safe egress in case of fire or other emergency. The location,
number, type and other considerations of exits shall be provided in
accordance with requirements of the New York State Fire Prevention
and Building Code and the most current edition of the National Fire
Protection Association Life Safety Code (NFPA 101).
(2)
No exit doors, passageways, hallways or stairs leading
to the exit shall be locked, bolted or otherwise fastened or obstructed
by any means so that the door cannot be opened from the inside by
the use of an ordinary door latch or knob by pressure on the device
or on a panic release device, and they shall allow the free egress
of the occupants from the building or the unobstructed ingress of
Fire Department personnel at all times.
(3)
The exit doors to the exterior of the building shall
be equipped with approved panic hardware, which release when pressure
is applied to the release device.
(4)
No furnishings, decoration or other objects shall
be placed so as to obstruct exits, access thereto, egress therefrom
or visibility thereof.
(5)
Exit lights (with battery backup), emergency lighting and panic hardware shall be provided in accordance with the requirements of Table A.[1] These devices shall be maintained in good working order
at all times.
[1]
Editor's Note: Table A is included at the end of this chapter.
(6)
Occupancy-use-type lofts and mezzanine areas shall
be provided with one firefighter/occupant emergency means of egress
in addition to the main exit from such space. A window, door or access
panel with a clear opening area of not less than 20 inches wide by
24 inches high shall be used. Maximum sill height shall be 36 inches
from the floor. Maximum spacing shall not exceed 50 feet from main
loft exit. No key or combination lock shall be installed on the opening.
A sign with two-inch minimum red letters above opening, "Emergency
Exit," shall be posted.
J.
Vacant buildings.
(1)
Every person owning or having control of any vacant
building or apartment within a building shall remove all combustible
waste and refuse therefrom and lock, barricade or otherwise secure
all windows, doors and other openings in the building or apartment
to prohibit entry by unauthorized persons.
(2)
Vacant buildings or apartments within a building,
unless same is ravaged by fire or approved by the court, shall maintain
all required fire detection and suppression systems in service.
(3)
All exterior openings to or within a vacant building
or vacant apartment within a building shall be sealed within 24 hours
of a fire to prevent entry into the building or apartment.
K.
Material data safety sheets. Buildings or occupancies
that contain the storage or use of hazardous materials shall place
the required data sheets (finished and raw products) in a yellow binder
with the word "MSDS" on the front and side cover and place the binder
on the wall near the front entrance for Fire Department use.
L.
Storage/shipping trailers: shall be maintained a minimum
distance of 10 feet from any structure and lot line. A current inventory
list of items stored inside the trailer shall be maintained and made
available to the Inspector or Fire Chief upon request. A special use
permit may be required in accordance with zoning or other established
regulations.
A.
All new commercial structures, multiple dwellings,
schools and institutions shall be equipped with an approved sprinkler
system and fire detection alarm system connected to the municipal
alarm board in Pomona, New York, i.e., 44-Control. The sprinkler system
must meet the requirements of NFPA-13, Installation of Sprinkler System
and/or NFPA-13R, Installation of Sprinkler Systems, in Residential
Occupancies Up To and Including Four Stories in Height (NFPA, current
edition).
B.
All new one and two family dwellings using lightweight
construction (for example, but not limited to, wood trusses, wood
I-beams, etc.) must be equipped with an approved sprinkler system
and fire detection alarm system. The sprinkler system must meet the
requirements of NFPA-13D, Installation of Sprinkler Systems in One-
and Two-Family Dwellings (NFPA, current edition.)
C.
All sprinkler systems shall be installed and maintained
in accordance with the most current edition of the National Fire Protection
Association standard for sprinkler systems (NFPA-13, 13R and 13D)
or the appropriate NFPA standards for special occupancies, whichever
is applicable. Hydraulic and/or pipe schedule drawings with approved
summary cover sheet shall be submitted to the Inspector for approval
by the sprinkler contractor of record for any new, altered or otherwise
modified systems prior to starting on-site work. The same shall apply
for standpipe systems (NFPA 14) and fire pumps (NFPA 20). A fire hydrant
shall be provided within 100 feet of a fire department connection
serving a new sprinkler or standpipe system unless otherwise approved
the Inspector.
D.
All sprinkler systems, standpipe systems and fire
pumps are to be tested in accordance with NFPA 25 standards. A written
report of inspection and testing from a qualified testing firm or
person shall be forwarded to the Fire Inspector's office on not less
than an annual basis, or when requested by the Inspector, on forms
approved by the Inspector. The name, address and telephone number
of the current sprinkler service company shall be affixed to the system
piping.
E.
All buildings and structures other than one-family and two-family residences shall be equipped with fire detection and alarm systems as described in Table A.[1]
(1)
Installation, maintenance and testing.
(a)
All fire detection and alarm systems shall be
installed and maintained in accordance with the most current edition
of the National Fire Protection Association Fire Alarm Code (NFPA-72).
(b)
All fire detection and alarm systems shall be
tested quarterly, and a written report shall be submitted to the Fire
Inspector.
(c)
The fire alarm installer shall, either before
or at the time of the witness test for final approval, provide to
the Inspector the following:
(d)
Failure to provide the completed forms as stated in § 82-32E(1)(c) can delay the fire alarm system from having a witness test performed and/or system being approved.
(e)
Unless authorized by the Inspector, a new fire
alarm system left in service prior to final inspection which results
in a false alarm will result in the issuance of a court appearance
ticket.
(f)
Prior to testing or servicing a fire alarm or
fire suppression system connected to a fire alarm system, the technician
shall notify Fire Control 44 or, if applicable, the central station
to prevent an unwarranted alarm from being transmitted. Before leaving
the premises, the technician shall notify Fire Control 44 or the central
station to place the fire alarm system back on line.
(2)
Copies of all fire alarm service, repair, inspection
and testing reports shall be forwarded to the Fire Inspector's office
within 10 days after completion of such service, repair, inspection
or testing by the fire alarm company of record. Report forms shall
be approved for use and/or a standardized form supplied by the Fire
Inspector.
(3)
When a fire alarm or sprinkler system has been activated,
the alarm company must respond within two hours of being notified.
Failure to respond within this time frame, unless excused, will constitute
a violation of this code, and a summons will be issued.
(a)
When a system technician determines that the
fire alarm and/or sprinkler system cannot be restored to normal operation
and needs to be placed out of service, the systems technician shall,
without delay, advise Fire Control 44 who, in turn, shall notify a
chief officer of the Spring Valley Fire Department and the Inspector.
The Inspector shall then order the owner and/or other person responsible
for the premises to immediately post at the building and continuously
maintain there an approved watchmen's service (also known as "firewatch"),
in accordance with the provisions of NFPA 601, until such time as
the fire alarm and/or sprinkler system is restored to normal operation.
The requirement to post and maintain an approved watchman is also
applicable when a chief officer of the Spring Valley Fire Department
or the Inspector places a fire alarm or sprinkler system out of service.
(4)
The Inspector shall be notified, in writing, prior
to the installation of any fire alarm or fire-detection system. Such
notification shall consist of plans sufficient to determine compliance
with the fire code.
(5)
New fire alarm or fire-detection systems shall have
an annunciator or fire panel located at or near the main entrance
of the building. Such annunciator shall show the location and type
of alarm. The location of any existing annunciator or panel not clearly
visible upon entry through the main entrance of a building shall be
identified with a sign posted on the wall next to the main entrance,
indicating the location of the annunciator or panel.
(6)
Upon activation of a fire alarm, the persons in charge
of a premises shall cause the premises to be evacuated, unless an
evacuation plan, preapproved by the Inspector and Fire Department,
is in place. In such case, the provisions of the plan shall be followed.
(7)
No fire system shall be reset from an alarm condition,
unless approved by the Inspector or Fire Department officer in charge.
A sign stating such shall be provided on all fire alarm panels capable
of resetting an alarm.
(8)
Fire alarm or fire detection system panels and/or
communicators shall be UL approved for commercial fire alarm use.
(9)
New or existing systems shall have, next to the annunciator
and the fire panel, a chart with descriptive zone identification panel
location, alarm code and the name and telephone number of the service
company number.
(10)
An approved cover guard shall be installed on all
types of manual pull stations when ordered by the Fire Inspector.
(11)
Audible and visual notification appliances (also known
as "horn/strobe units") shall be installed on fire alarm systems in
conformance with NFPA 72 and/or as directed by the Inspector.
(12)
A horn/strobe unit shall be installed at the top of
the stairwell or inside the living space, as directed by the Inspector,
that is located above a commercial use occupancy.
(13)
The fire alarm system shall have the capability to
be silenced at the fire panel as well as by the annunciator panel
near the front door.
(14)
Fire panels (new install or transferred accounts)
shall be programmed and formatted to four by two standard full (with
full fire zone, individual troubles and supervisory descriptions)
or contact ID programming.
[1]
Editor's Note: Table A is included at the end of this chapter.
F.
False fire alarm. It shall be the responsibility of
a Village of Spring Valley Fire Chief to report any and all false
fire alarms to the Village of Spring Valley Fire Inspector. These
reports are to be received by the Fire Inspector within 48 hours after
the occurrence of any false fire alarm.
A.
Commercial establishments generally. All commercial
establishments, regardless of size or usage, shall be required to
have at least one fully operative fire extinguisher at all times.
All such fire extinguishers shall:
(1)
Be inspected and tagged yearly by a qualified company
or replaced with a new purchase with the sales receipt taped to the
extinguisher.
(2)
Be placed at a location designated by the Inspector.
(3)
Be installed and maintained as per the most recent
edition of NFPA 10.
(4)
Include a sign that reads "Fire Extinguisher" placed
on the wall seven feet above the floor and in line with the extinguisher.
B.
Restaurants. Restaurants shall be required to have
at least one fully operative fire extinguisher in its kitchen and
one fully operated fire extinguisher located in the service area.
Additional extinguishers shall be provided for each additional 2,500
square feet of service area or multiple thereof. The type of extinguisher
shall be determined by the Inspector and shall be inspected yearly.
C.
Extra-hazardous commercial operations. All dry-cleaning, paint and hardware stores, print shops and other similar extra-hazardous commercial operations as determined by the Inspector, shall have extinguishers, in addition to the one required in Subsection A, for every 1,000 square feet of building occupancy.
D.
Protection of cooking equipment and ductwork.
(1)
All commercial cooking appliances, exhaust removal
systems, ductwork and related equipment shall be protected by an automatic
fire-extinguishing system installed and maintained in compliance with
the most current applicable National Fire Protection Association Standard
(current edition) and New York State Fire Code as applicable.
(2)
Fire extinguishing systems shall be inspected by an
approved service firm on a semi-annual basis. To insure proper inspection,
a copy of the completed service report shall be forwarded to the Fire
Inspector's office within 10 days after completion of the inspection.
(3)
To evidence that a proper inspection has occurred,
an inspection tag indicating the month and year the fire extinguishing
system was inspected shall be placed on the system activation pin
or the chemical storage tank.
(4)
The entire exhaust system (filters, duct, roof ventilator,
etc.) shall be cleaned and inspected by a properly trained, qualified,
and certified company or person in accordance with the following schedule:
Type or Volume of Cooking Frequency
|
Frequency
| |
---|---|---|
Systems serving solid fuel operations
|
Monthly
| |
Systems serving high-volume cooking operations
such as twenty-four-hour cooking-char-broiling or wok cooking
|
Quarterly
| |
Systems serving moderate-volume cooking operations
|
Semi-annually
| |
Systems serving low-volume cooking operations,
such as religious houses of worship, day camps, seasonal businesses or
senior citizen centers
|
Annually
|
(5)
A copy of the completed cleaning / inspection service
report form shall be forwarded to the Fire Inspector's office within
10 days after completion of the cleaning / inspection. The form shall
also note any deficiencies with the exhaust removal system.
(6)
After cleaning the exhaust system, the approved cleaning
service firm shall place on the front of the exhaust hood a label
indicating the date cleaned, the name, address and phone number of
the servicing company and any areas not cleaned.
E.
Special extinguishing systems. Whenever deemed necessary
for the protection of a special hazard, the Inspector may require
the installation of a special extinguishing system. Any such special
extinguishing system shall be installed and maintained in accordance
with the most current applicable National Fire Protection Association
Standard (current edition).
F.
Access to fire protection equipment.
G.
Strobe lights. In order to notify responding firefighters
of conditions within a building or structure equipped with sprinkler
systems or fire alarm systems or containing hazardous materials or
other hazards to firefighters, identification strobe lights shall
be installed on the exterior of the buildings or structures as follows.
(1)
Red strobe light: two such lights are required. One shall be located above the Fire Department siamese connection and one as specified in Subsection G(4) below in a sprinklered building to indicate activation of the water flow alarm.
(2)
Yellow strobe light: installed to indicate activation
of a pull station, smoke detector, heat detector or other alarm device.
(3)
Blue strobe light: installed to indicate the presence
of hazardous materials, hazardous conditions or other danger to firefighters.
(4)
Unless otherwise stated in this code or otherwise
directed by the Inspector, the strobe lights shall be installed above
the front entrance door leading to the annunciator and/or in the immediate
vicinity of the key box.
H.
Hazardous materials.
(1)
Where identification of buildings and structures containing
hazardous materials is required in accordance with the New York State
Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code, the National Fire Protection
Association Hazardous Materials Identification System (NFPA-704) shall
be utilized.
(2)
The discharge of any classified hazardous material
as identified in the most current publication of NFPA 704, in any
quantity, into any sewer system (interior or exterior / public or
private) or storm drainage system is prohibited.
A.
Standpipe system, sprinkler system, fire alarm system
and other fire protective or extinguishing systems or appliances which
have been installed in compliance with any permit or order or in accordance
with any law shall be maintained in operative condition at all times,
and it shall be unlawful for any owner or occupant to reduce the effectiveness
of the protection so required; except that this shall not prohibit
the owner or occupant from temporarily reducing or discontinuing the
protection, where necessary, in order to make tests, repairs, alterations
or additions, but not otherwise. The Inspector and the fire alarm
company (if applicable) shall be notified before such tests, repairs,
alterations or additions are started. Except as otherwise required
by this code, all systems shall be checked at least annually by an
authorized person and properly tagged.
B.
All electrical appliances, fixtures and wiring shall
be installed in accordance with the current edition of the National
Electric Code (NFPA-70). All electrical appliances, fixtures and wiring
shall be maintained so as not to be a fire hazard or a source of ignition
for combustible or hazardous substances, materials or devices.
C.
Gas fuel appliances, fixtures and piping systems.
(1)
All gas fuel appliances, fixtures and piping systems
shall be installed in accordance with the current edition of the National
Fuel Code (NFPA 54).
(2)
All gas fuel appliances, fixtures and piping shall
also be maintained so as not to be a fire hazard or source of ignition
for combustible or hazardous substances, materials or devices.
(3)
All gas fuel space heating and water heating appliances
utilizing electric shall have an electrical disconnect switch in plain
view, with red cover plate; location of switch to be determined by
the Fire Inspector.
(4)
All hot water and steam gas fuel space heating appliances
installed in commercial, multifamily or mixed use occupancies shall
have the following safety devices installed: low water cutoff manual
hi-limit reset control and hi-limit control.